While some of that success is undoubtedly due to discounts and incentives, the fact remain Canadians are showing a heft desire for this full-size pickup.

And that is before they can get their hands on the segment’s first diesel engine. The Ram EcoDiesel brings compression ignition to the light-duty category.

Ram, Ford and GM all have diesel engines available in their heavy duty pickups. In fact they are the preferred choice in that class.

Thanks to its parent company Fiat, Ram becomes the first to offer that option to buyers of the light duty versions.

You might expect the Ram to have a Cummins diesel under the hood, a variation of the engine offered in the HD models. You would be wrong. The EcoDiesel is a 3.0-litre V6 from VM Motori a subsidiary of Fiat which owns 50 per cent of the company. Ironically, the other half is owned by General Motors. VM Motori has been a Chrysler Corp. supplier for 14 years.

The award-winning VM A360 EcoDiesel is a thoroughly modern unit. The block is made from lightweight Compacted Graphite Iron, the turbocharger features variable geometry to cut lag, the sophisticated injection system is capable of up to eight unique fuel-injection events in each cylinder per cycle ensuring lower noise levels and optimization of each unit of fuel — improving power and fuel economy while lowering emissions.

This delightful engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic from ZF of Germany. The pairing results in a very pleasant combination of performance and excellent fuel economy — exceptional fuel economy for a full-size pickup! I found it relatively easy to average 11.1 litres/100 km in the city and 9.1 on the highway, both about 50 per cent better than what I had witnessed a few weeks previously in a similar-size truck with a V8 engine.

The diesel puts out 240 horsepower, not too impressive if you go by this useless way of rating engines. More importantly, it produces 420 pound feet of torque, more than any V6 in the class and, in fact, more than the mighty Hemi V8 available in this same truck. All that grunt is available from only 2,000 rpm. Such low-end power is the reason virtually all commercial trucks as well as construction equipment and anything where power is premium use diesel engines. The Ram EcoDiesel carries a 9,200-pound tow rating.

Another benefit is the range — it is relatively easy to accrue more than 1,000 km between fills.

But I would be remiss if I did not point out that diesel fuel often costs more than gasoline and that the EcoDiesel is a 4,500 option in the Ram. That is offset depending on mileage and use by greater resale value and a longer service.

With all that power available from idle pickup becomes a literal term in describing this truck. Talk about instant gratification!

The eight-speed transmission, controlled by a rotary knob on the console rather than a cumbersome lever, has an excellent spread of ratios to ensure good low-end performance and lazy fuel-sipping highway cruising.

The beauty of a diesel is that all that torque allows them to shrug off extra weight such as trailers in the 2,000–5,000-lb. range. This engine is obviously a diesel, with the rattle common to such high compression devices.

But this one is more subdued and refined than those in heavy duty applications. In the well-insulated cab the sound is all but eradicated. There is also no smell or smoke associated with this engine.

Ram execs expect the EcoDiesel to account for about 15 per cent of sales and predict most customers will select a well-equipped vehicle. The tester certainly fit that description. The starting price north of $50,000 for the Laramie trim level included. The tester was equipped with an electronically-controlled four-wheel-drive system, leather interior, power windows, locks and mirrors, remote keyless entry, trailer-tow package, heated and cooled front seats, cruise, tilt/telescope wheel, dual-zone climate control, 20-inch chrome wheels, Chrysler’s excellent UConnect infotainment system and a great audio setup.

Not enough for you? The tester also boasted $15,000 in options that in addition to the diesel engine included an array of things from heated rear seats and a sunroof to an air suspension and cargo box management system.

The latter two provided an excellent ride and a wide array of options when it comes to carrying stuff, including roomy, water-proof accommodations in the sides of the box.

Those at either end of the height scale or, with otherwise unusual physiques, will appreciate the ability to adjust not only the steering wheel for height and reach, but also the pedal set with a little switch to the left of the steering wheel. This feature is included in the memory setting so two different drivers can simply touch a button to have the seat and pedal assume the chosen setting.

The crew cab design means loads of room in the second row of seats with wide opening doors and the ability to fold one or both sides of the 60/40 split seats for weather-proof storage.

The reasons for the Ram’s success are many. The EcoDiesel option provides yet another.